Exploring forgotten seascapes

07 September 2012 | Article

Whether due to their remoteness, regional instability or political challenges, the marine environments of some of the world’s developing areas are often forgotten – or even ignored – by global policies and conservation efforts.

For Dr Ameer Abdulla, Senior Advisor on Marine Biodiversity and Conservation Science with IUCN’s Global Marine and Polar Programme, attracting the attention of the global community to these developing countries’ marine ecosystems is one of his biggest challenges.

“Countries that are most difficult to work in are often most in need of marine conservation science,” says Abdulla. “Time is quickly running out for them.”

Born and raised in Egypt, he understands the issues of developing countries. That’s part of the reason why he sees the IUCN Congress as an opportunity to let the world know about the marine challenges facing some of the most remote corners of the world.

“The Congress brings together a multinational audience that is understanding and sympathetic to the specific problems facing many developing nations,” says Abdulla.

Abdulla’s work in marine conservation science takes him to the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Arabian Gulf, and Indian Ocean where he witnesses firsthand the challenges – and the beauty – of marine life in these regions.

He is currently studying the resistance of coral reefs to climate change and developing marine protected areas in some challenging environments. These are the topics he will discuss with IUCN Members and other Congress participants in the coming days.

“There is an impetus to address these challenges,” says Abdulla.

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Bringing the world’s attention to forgotten #seascapes and the challenges to saving their beauty #Congress2012